Agnieta Cornelia Gijswijt belonged to the first batch of painters who studied at the Rijksacademie in Amsterdam under August Allebé. Like a number of fellow students, who later became known as the Amsterdamse Joffers, she was determined to develop herself as an independent artist. Her most beloved subjects were landscapes, animal pieces, beach and cityscapes and portraits. In 1901 she made a study trip to Paris with Lizzy Ansingh and Jo Stumpff. In the following years she went to Belgium, London and Italy. She was active in Amsterdam art life, was a member of Arti et Amicitiae en Sint Lucas, taught and was involved as treasurer of the Visual Arts subcommittee in the controversial exhibition 'De Vrouw 1813-1913'. At the age of 85, the painter still participated in an exhibition of Saint Luke.